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Will My Child Inherit My Vision Problems or Eye Disease?

By , About.com Guide

Updated: December 17, 2008

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Question: Will My Child Inherit My Vision Problems or Eye Disease?
Answer: Some eye conditions are handed down from parents to their children. Nearsightedness and farsightedness have a strong genetic component, especially if both parents have the condition. Color blindness and retinitis pigmentosa are also sometimes inherited. Retinitis pigmentosa is is the name given to a group of inherited eye diseases that affect the retina.

Glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration also seem to be influenced by genetics, but steps can be taken to help prevent or delay these eye diseases.

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